Tap for barrels or casks



R. F. STAHL.

TAP PoR BARRBLS 0R CAsKs.

(No Model.)

lfateuted Mar. 8,1898.

TTG-1 mum h 0 Za T W 7 A K.

STATES ATENT trice.

RUDOLPH F. STAHL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE ROCH- ESTER BUNGING APPARATUS COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

TAP FOR BARRELS OR CASKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters llatenc No. 600,501, dated March 8, 1898.

Application filed April 10,1896. Serial No. 586,916. (No model.)

To a/ZZ wiz/m it may concern: vided upon its exterior intermediate its ends Be it known that I, RUDOLPH F. STAHL, of with screw-threads Z9' for engaging the side Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of walls of the opening a in order to secure the Massachusetts, have invented certain new tap in place, asis usual. Theinner wall of the and useful Improvements in Taps for Barrels upper end of the tap is recessed to form an or Casks, of which the following is a specifiupwardly-projecting flange b2 and a shoulcation. der b3, the latter being adapted to engage a This invention relates to a new and imwasherfl. proved tap for barrels or other packages; and b4 represent cams on the inner Wall of the 6o 1o it consists in the novel features of constructap,adapted to engage the complemental cams tion and relative arrangement of parts herein the tube f, hereinafter described. inafter fully described in the specication, b5 represents a rib below one of the cams b4, clearly illustrated in the drawings, and paradapted to engage a complemental rib on the ticularly pointed out in the claims. delivery-tube, hereinafter described. The 65 Reference is to be had to the accompanying inner end of the delivery-tube, or the end that one sheet of drawings, forming a part of this protrudes from the cask or barrela, is closed application, in which like characters indicate by a web h6, integral with the stem, and is like parts wherever they occur. formed with apertures 197, arranged to com- Figure 1 represents in vertical section a tap municate with complemental apertures in the 7o 2o constructed in accordance with myinvention, valve, hereinafter described, when the latter a portion of the keg or cask being also shown is opened. This web is also formed with a in section. Fig. 2 represents a top plan view central valve-stem aperture 198, the inner walls thereof. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1, of which are extended in order to form an the valve being shown closed. Fig. fl is a upwardly-projecting flange b9. 75 view similar to Fig. 3, showing the deliveryd represents a valve-stem having a cylintube in engagement with the tap. Fig. 5 repdrical portion d', arranged in the aperture 218. resents a vertical sectional view on the line This stem carries a valve-disk d2, arranged to 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. G represents a cross-see engage the lower face of the web bor a packtional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3, the valve ing-ring Z910, composed of tin or other material, 8o 3o being shown as closed. Fig. 7 represents a applied to said face. The valve-disk is prosimilar view, the valve being shown open. vided with apertures d3, adapted to register Fig. S represents a cross-sectional view on the with the apertures bl. This disk upon its peline 8 S of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 represents a front riphery is preferably beveled, as at d4, to elevation of the delivery-tube. Fig. 10 repmake a tight t between said periphery and 85 resents a front elevation of the valve-port the edge of the strainer 7L when the latter is tool. Fig. 11 representsaviewsimilar to Fig. employed. This form is also advantageous 1, showing the tool in place. Fig. 12 reprein connection with the swelling of the wood sents a detached view of the valve stem, nut, of the cask or barrel, giving the latter a chance and washer. Fig. 13 represents a front eleto press about the end of the periphery of the 9o 4c vation of the wrench for opening and closing valve-disk.

the valve. Fig. 14. represents a bottom plan The valve-stern is provided with a screwview of the wrench. Fig. 15 represents a threaded extension, as at d5, belowthe valvefront elevation of the spanner for operating disk d2. When the strainer h is employed, the nut. l the latter is screwed upon this extension, as 95 M Referring to the drawings, in the embodishown in Figs. l and 2. This extension is ment of my invention therein shown and sealso convenient for the manipulation of the lected by me for the purpose of illustrating valve-stem in the lathe While the several parts my invention, a` represents a portion of the are being fashioned. The valve-stem or the cask or barrel provided with the usual opencylindrical portion d/ is cut away, making a Ion 5o ing a for the insertion of the tap l). This tap at face d6. A like 'face i7 is formed upon is composed of a cylindrical-shaped body prothe stem at its upper end opposite the end of the face d6. A portion of the valve-stem or the cylindrical portion cl is vscrew-threaded, as at d8. dg represents a washer having a flat face d10, adapted to engage the face d6 when the washer is in place on the stem, whereby said washer and stem rotate together. This washer is provided with win gs d, adapted to stand over the ports t7 when the ports d3 57 do not register, thus preventing a tool from being inserted in the bushing to mutilate the surface of the valve-disk d2 through the port t7. When, however, the valve-stem is turned, as hereinafter described, to make the ports d3 b7 communicate, these wings are turned away from the ports 57, or the position as shown in Fig.v 3, to their position when the said ports d3 Z197 register, as illustrated in Fig. l.

d12 represents a nut arranged to be screwthreaded upon its interior, adapted to be screwed down on the stem against the washer dg and to draw the valve-disk against its seat under any desired tension or pressure. This nut is provided upon its periphery with one or more recesses dis, adapted to be engaged by a suitable tool for turning the nut to adjust the pressure between the valve-disk and the seat.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the valve-disk may be adjusted from the outside without removing the bushing from the cask, and that the'stem, with its valve and nut and washer, can be turned without affecting this adjustment. It follows from this construction that the nut and washer dg move with the valve-stem, thus preventing the accidental movement of the nut by engagement with a surface or part not moving in unison with the nut, as would be the case if the nut engaged the web, its flange b9, or the valvedisk.

f represents a delivery-tube formed with the usual handle f and at one end provided with screw-threads f2 in order to connect said tube with a suitable pipe, as is common. At its lower end this tube is formed with a projecting liange f3 of a size to iit within the projecting flange b2 of the bushing.

flo represents a washer arranged upon the tube below the flange and adapted to be forced into engagement with the rib b3.

f4 represent camson the lower end of the delivery-tubesituated a sufficient distance below the iiange f3 to permit said cams to engage complemental cams b4 of the bushing,

lwhereby the tube is securely locked in the bushing and the washer f1 forced against the flange b3, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

f5 represents a rib which, as shown'in Figs. 4 and 9, depends from the smaller end of one of the cams f4 and is adapted to engage the rib b5 on the interior of the bushing in order to limit the movement of the tube in one direction-that is, the direction which it is turned when the valve-disk is moved to establish communication between the ports d3 o7. It is prevented from movement in the opposite direction when necessary or when the communication between these ports is broken by the arrangement of the cams 194], the larger end of one cam on the tube engaging the larger ends of the cams on the bushing when this reverse movement is attempted. In other words, the tube when inserted can only be moved in one direction, and its movement in this direction is limited by the complemental ribs 175]@5. When the tube is turned to close the communication between the ports d3 bl, its movement is limited by the larger ends of the complemental cams striking each other. 'The rib and cams are so spaced that a quarter-tu rn or a turn sufficient to open and close the valve may be given to the valvestem. The construction and arrangement of parts are -such that when the delivery-tube is removed the valve-ports will in all cases be closed.

Casks and barrels are usually pitched after the bushing is inserted therein, and this pitch is found in practice to fill up the ports on the inside of the cask in the form here shown, the ports d3 thus retarding and sometimes preventing the liquid being drawn of when the valve is open. To overcome this difficulty, I have provided a tool r, having a suitable handle fr' and fingers r2, reduced at their lower ends, as at r3. The width of the main portion of the fingers is such as to tit snugly between the cams b4 of the bushing, while the reduced or working ends r3 of the fingers areV constructed of a width to pass through the ports b7 d3. By this construction the tool is guided accurately, so that its working ends will clear the ports of foreign matter without scratching the walls of the ports or any of the mechanism. This is an important feature, since it permits the free use of the tool, while at the same time guarding against carelessness of workmen. When the valve is closed, the wings d cover the mouth of the ports d7, as shown in Fig. G, and it is necessary to provide some means for opening the valve and preferably in so doing to give said valve the same amount of movement that is given it by the delivery-tube, so that the ports d3 o7 will exactly register. Otherwise the ends r3 of the fingers may be forced against the face of the valve-disk, thus scarring the same. To this end I employ a wrench s, provided with a suitable handle s. This wrench has loosely arranged upon it near its lower end a collar s2, formed on its lower face with projections s3 upon either side of a size to fit snugly between the cams b4, so that when the wrench is inserted in the bushing the said collar is firmly held against movement. On its upper face this collar is provided with two stops s4.

S5 represents a pin projecting from the wrench s above the collar s2 and arranged between the stops s4, whereby the amount of movement of the said wrench when the tool is inserted in the 4bushing is limited, the stops S4 being arranged a distance apart corresponding to the distance through which the deliv- IOO IOS

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ery-tube is moved to open and close the valve. By this construction the valve-stem can be given the same amount of movement as that given by the delivery-tube, thus turning the wings d from the position they occupy when the communication between the ports Z307 is closed, or the position shown in Fig. 6, to the position occupied by the ports when these ports are open, to the position shown in Figs. 7 and ll. The wrench s is then removed and the fingers r forced down through the ports, as shown in Fig. 1l.

When it is desired to tighten or loosen the nut du, the spanner t is employed. (See Fig. ll.) This spannercousists of a shell t', adapted to fit the bushing and provided with projections t2, adapted to fit between the cams b4 to keep the shell from turning. This shell at its lower end is provided with fingers t3,`

adapted to engage lugs t4, extending from the upper side of the wings d, and thus holding the washer dg stationary.

trepresents a rod, mounted to rotate within the shell t', provided at one end with a handle 6 and at its lower end with spurst?, adapted to engage the recesses (Z13 ofthe sides of the nut. By this construction it will be seen that the nut can be tightened and loosened whenever required.

The path taken by the liquid in leaving the cask through thc delivery-tube is indicated by arrows in Fig. 5, the tube being formed at its lower end with ports f1?, by which communication between the interior'of the tube and the space in the bushing surrounding said tube is established. The lower end of the wrench and'delivery-tube are provided with a suitable opening the walls of which have the same relative arrangement as the sides of the upper end of the valve-stem, so that the stem can be rigidly engaged thereby.

Having thus explained the nature ot' my invention and described a way of constructing and using the same, though without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made or all of the modes of its use, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A tap comprising in its construct-ion a bushing formed with a web provided with one or more ports, and a valve-stem aperture, a valve-stem arranged in said aperture, a disk carried by said stem, and arranged to seat against the inner face of said web, and means upon said valve-stein upon the opposite side of said web for adj ustablyholding said valve against its seat, said means comprising a member arranged to turn with the valve-stem, and to engage the web, or some part of the bushing, and a nut to engage said member to force the latter against its support, and the valve against its seat.

L. A tap, comprising in its construction, a bushing formed at its lower end with a web provided with one or more ports and a valvestem aperture, the walls of said aperture being extended to form an upwardly-projecting flange, a valve-stem arranged in said aperture and provided with an apertured valvedisk adapted to, seat against the lower face of said web, a winged washer locked on said stem and resting on said iiange, and a nut on said stem adapted to engage said washer and to force said valve against its seat, said Wings being adapted to stand over the ports when said disk is turned to close communication into the cask.

3. The combination with a bushing having cams on its inner face, and recessed at its upper end, terminating in an upwardly-projecting rib, a projecting stop-rib arranged below one of said cams, a valve mechanism arranged in the lower end of said bushing, comprising a nut having wings adapted to protect the ports in said valve mechanism when the latter are closed, combined with a delivery-tube having a washer adapted to engage the rib b3, and oomplemental cams and rib adapted to engage the cams, and a stop-rib in the interior of the bushing.

4. A tap comprising a bushing, formed at its outer end with a web, provided with one or more ports, and a valvestem aperture, a valve-stein arranged in said aperture, a disk carried by said stem, and adapted to seat against said web, a winged washer locked on said stem, or said web, and formed with wrench-engaging means, as lugs t4, and means for holding said disk against its seat.

5. A Spanner comprising a shell having radial lugs or projections 752, and axial lugs or projections i3, a rod arranged to rotate in the said shell, and provided at one end with a nutengaging means, and provisions on said rod for turning the latter.

6. A tap comprising a bushing, formed at its lower end with a web, provided with one or more ports, and a valve-stem aperture, a valve-stein arranged in said aperture, a disk carried by said stem, and adapted to seat against the lower side of said web, and a winged washer locked on said stem, or said web, and formed with wrench engaging means, as lugs t4, a nut on said stem adapted to engage said washer to force said valve againstits seat, said nut being accessible from the exterior of the cask.

7. A cleaning-tool for the ports of taps for casks or barrels, comprising one or more fingers shaped at their working ends to enter said ports; the main body of the finger or iingers being shaped to engage lugs or other members of the interior walls of the tap to guide said fingers and cause the working ends to properly register with the said ports.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 7th day of April, A. D. 1896.

RUDOLPH F. STAHL.

Witnesses:

A. D. HARRISON, A. D. ADAMS.

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